Your Opinion Counts! - Rooming houses

In response to an opinion article printed in the Toronto Star (Uniform rules for rooming houses, Jan 11, 2010), I have drafted this letter:

As the Chair of the Scarborough Community Council I have the task to represent the unanimous position taken by Community Council to voice our concerns against the debate of allowing rooming houses "as a right" in any neighbourhood.

There is no opposition for uniform rules for rooming houses where they are allowed. In Scarborough, legal second suites plus the housing of up to two boarders as a right has addressed the argument of affordable accommodation.

The notion of illegal rooming houses becoming legal is a fantasy. There is no right of entry for inspection. These units whether legal or illegal are a business, yet, classified as single family homes paying the same taxes. They also create issues in the neighbourhood which, with limited City By-law Resources, can be addressed usually in a non timely manner.

The City has spent millions on affordable housing. To pretend that nothing is being done is wrong.

Councillor Milczyn pointed out in debate, that the proponents for rooming houses stoop to condemn those opposed as racists, bigots, uncaring etc. These insults are typical when points or concern are raised and are answered with name calling. The Star has joined that name calling by saying "these councillors have shirked their responsibilities and delayed much-needed change, that we have our heads in the sand".

I would remind the name callers that our responsibility is to represent the communities that we serve in a balanced and fair manner.

The version that was printed in the Toronto Star can be found here (Clearing air on rooming houses, Jan 18, 2010). My letter was also printed in the Scarborough Mirror.

I want to ask you, my constituents, what you think of this issue. Your opinion counts in Ward 39, so click here to let me know how you feel in the comments section of this post.